Steam-cooker



I (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1..

J. N. ANDERSON & J. M. SHERMAN. STEAM GOOKER No. 326,702. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

WITNESSES (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. N. ANDERSON 8v J. M. SHERMAN.

STEAM GOOKER.

N0. 3226;702. ted Sept. 22,1885.

WWW

.dttorngys STATES PATENT Erica.

JOHN N. ANDERSON AND JOHN M. SHERMAN, .OF ELLSWORTH, KANSAS.

STEAM-COOKER.

ElP-EO'IFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326.702, dated September 22, 1885.

(No. model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN N. ANDERSON and JOHN M. SHERMAN, citizens of the United States, residing at Ellsworth, in the county of Ellsworth and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Steam Oooker, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to an improvement in steam-cookers; and it consistsin the peculiar construction and combination of parts that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figurel is aview in perspective of a steamcooker embodying the improvements of our invention, showing the boiler, water-supply reservoir, and a nest of four cooking vessels. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line x :0 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the boiler, reservoir, and valves, the cookingvessels being removed from the boiler. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of one of the cooking-vessels detached; and Fig. 5 is a perspective detail View of the lids for the cooking-vessels. Fig. 6 is a detailed sectional view taken on the liney y of Fig. 3, showing the construction of one of the steam cut-off valves.

Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings, A designates the boiler of the cooker, which has a copper bottom, the remaining portions being preferably constructed of tin; but any other suitable metal may be used. The top of the boiler isprovided with an opening, B, which forms the seat for the first cooking-vessel, O, of the nest of vessels to be used. The boiler A is provided with handles D D, which also connect with the supply-reservoir E,which is also connected to the boiler by the arc-shaped valve-chamber F. The boiler A is provided at one side with a filling-aperture, G, which communicates with the boiler near its bottom. The reservoir E is also provided with afilling-aperture, H. The bottom of the supply-reservoir E is raised slightly above the bottom of the boiler. A water passage or duct, I, which leads from the bottom of a valve-chamber,l,extending down through the supply-reservoir, empties into the boiler A just above the bottom of the latter. The valvechamber 1 communicates with the interior of the supply-reservoir E, and with the waterduet I, and is provided with a valve, K, op-

erated by a screw-stem, L, having a crank handle, L, at its upper end to open and close the valve K and adjust it in the valve-chamber I, to regulate the flow of water from the reservoir to the boiler. The water may be out off entirely or be permitted to flow to the boiler,drop by drop or in astream, as may be required, to supply the waste in the boiler caused by evaporation.

The arc-shaped valve-chamber F is provided with a steam-escape pipe, M, controlled by a valve, M, provided with a stem, M working in a sleeve, M and having aknob-handle, M. This arcshaped valvechamber F is provided with as many vertical collars, N, rising from its upper wall,as there are cooking-vessels in the completed nest of vessels, and each of these collars N is provided in the valve-chamber F with a valve constructed similarly to the valve, stem, sleeve, and knob-handle described, for the escape-pipe M, for admitting to or cutting off from the steam-pipes connected with the collars N the steam generated in the boiler A.

In the present instance we have illustrated four cooking-vessels in the completed nest of cooking-vessels; but as many may be used as are desired. In this case there are therefore four collars, N, rising from the valve-chamber F, and the cooking-vessel O, that rests on the boiler-seat, is provided with four pipe-sections a, b, c, and d, the latter opening into the vessel O, the others tapering at their tops and projecting slightly above the rim of the vessel 0 to receive the pipes e fg, attached to the vessel P above it. The vessel Qmesting on the vessel P,is provided with the pipe-sections h i, the latter communicating with the vessel Q. The pipe-section 9 also communicates with the vessel P. The top vessel, B, of the completed nest is provided with apipe-section, k, which opens into it. It will be seen that each of the cooking-vessels is provided with a sep arate and independent steam-pipe communicating with the boiler. The upper ends of the pipe-sections (I, g, t, and is project slightly into their respective vessels in a downward direction, so as to direct the steam toward the bottoms of the vessels. Each of the vessels,

except the vessel 0, has its downwardlyprojecting ring-flange Z provided with a notch, m, which receives the inwardly-projecting end of the pipe-section of the vessel on which it rests. The lid T is constructed to fit each of the cooking-vessels, so that one,two, three,

the upper bent end of the pipesection.

or all of them may be used. The depending flange t of the lid has a notch, to fit over Each vessel is provided with a tray, U, having legs u, which support it above the bottom of the vessel. The vessels have no communication one with another, so that there can be no mixing of flavors of the different articles being cooked in the different vessels. Any one of the vessels may be cutoff from the boiler by closing the valve in the valve-chamber F, which controls its steam-pipe, if its contents be cooked before those of the other vessels,

and the article thus cut off he kept warm until the articles requiring a longer time to cook are done.

Experience teaches that steam can be generated quicker from one half inch to one inch in depth of water in the boiler than when the boiler is filled; and in the boilers now used no provision is made for gradually supplying water to the boiler, so that they are required to be supplied with enough Water to complete the cooking at the start. This fills the boiler and occupies the room that is required for steam, and takes a considerable length of time to generate the steam, thereby not only wasting time and consuming much fuel, but cooking so slowly as to spoil the victuals in the cooking. To obviate these defects we provide the reservoir, in which we place warm water and regulate its supply to the boiler by means of the screw-valve hereinbefore described, so as to keep the water in the boiler at the depth of about one-half inch, so that we can in ashort space of time generate steam on a parlor or kitchen stove. The steam from the boiler is all condensed in the vessels and produces moisture enough therein to cook the article properly,even if put in the vessel in a dry state.

This cooker does not require the constant presence of the attendant, as the reservoir will supply the water to the boiler for a long time, and there is no danger of the latter boiling dry. To prevent all danger the escape pipe and valve is provided so that the cooker can be regulated instantly when the steam is no longer needed. The vessels are provided with suitable handles for convenience in nesting and removing them. In the start we put in one half inch of water in the boiler, and in a few minutes, when steam is up, we can regulate hot water from the reservoir to the boiler to keep the water at the proper depth of onehalf inch. The steam-escape pipe M communicates with the water-reservoir E so that the steam escapes into the cooler water in the reservoir, and no steam whatever can escape into the room.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. The combination, with the boiler and nested cooking-vessels having independent steam-pipes communicating with the boiler and the cooking-vessels, of the valve-chamber, a pipe leading therefrom to the reservoir, and a valve for controlling the flow of steam through said pipeinto the reservoir, substantial] y as described.

2. In a steam-cooker, the combination of 7 

